Retaining member for straps



July 23, 1940- H. Hmm?!l 2,208,842

RETAINING MEMBER FOR STRAPS Filedl Dec. 23, 195e 2O 24 ZZ Z5 www Patented July 23, 1940 agressie rarsnroeeiee 1 1 REtrAImNG MEMBER non' STRAPS i' vHerbert"Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif., assignoryto Leo.M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif.

- Appiiatipn De'eemher 23, 1936, serial No. 117,303

.3 claims.- (01'. 1 56) s 'inventi-onfrelates' to 'securing and fastening devices'an'd relates more particularly to stays or straps for s' ec'urirlg'and' binding boxes, cartons,

Grat tc. 'i general object 'of vthis y invention 5 to pr Lenpracticaland:improved straps 4of the chine and'to fautmeltioallyswing tothe proper position forfdivineupon ,reaching the endsk .Gf the.gi'iidesfA g` Aliothergobjectoithi ventiorlf iS to provide 15 stayslorstraps"ofthe Acharz'roter 'e mentioned that= are formed so that their barbsgdwet ytemi .ipull loose when thstraps .are .Subjecnecit Shock or cra'tefpart's diiririgfshipping orudue tovshrink- $9 agef the. ,tenis arthemisia Q, ,l Landther.qbfie =-t 0f thsQlnilntibn sito provide stays orl'straps'fofthe Characterme tioned havne integral'part's.eeagabllby 'machine @1ements to orient; thestraps 1 when "their vbarbs are se bentgand `Sh.attelled and .neaeablbv elements of thesltapling machine to' 'guide'rgl'orientpfturn or' otherwisemanipulate;the sti apsfpduring theirfap'f plicationgor l l Another object o'fthis i A,entiorl is ,tof'provideI it im'er'vsd State baseless .b 'the Character veen:` tioned in which, :theparts engaged,byr the maf` chineielementsare spaced from the' barbs -so that thebarbsl atltheends| of thestraps. may ,remain freeorgxposed vv en the straps-fare `in he'fstaplingmachine. t; y. f jnnotherp ject of th n vention is to yprovide staysor strapsoilthel. character vmentioned that are isimple and,M neicpensive:'eonstituting single integral:1engths-,ofwire, I

1Q, f; :Another Object. Of .1':hisinventionis toyprovide straps of the character mentioned that are adapted Ito rclosely. nest'sto'getherin a compact. assembly. 'or gang :forfready insertion-inthe stapling machjnefffgjx; jfr'f 1 E `l g. Another object of this" invention Y is to -provide straps of thei character?mentionedv iii Whichthe projecting 4parts referred to f' above; cooperate one with the other to l'i'oldtlf'e straps oriented When in ai gang and'to prevent relative `mcnf'ement be-` able when the'straps are positioned or inserted inthe `stapling machine.

f" Another objectvofvthis invention is to kprovide practical and eiective means for holding a mul-A tiplicity or gang of stays'or straps together for 5 shipping handlingA and for ready insertion inl a stapling machine. n

.An'other object of this invention is to provide anlassembly organg of staples of the character mentioned in which ythe projecting partsy of the` strapsffcoo'perate v vith binding members to pre-l Vent di'splacement of 'the straps from the gang and to maintain the staples in their proper relation in the gang or assembly.

[The various objects and features of my invention will be' 'fully understood from the 'fo11ovv' ing 'detailed description' of typical preferred forms andlapplicatons 0I" the invention, throughoutwhich descriptionA reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which: j 1 Eigy 1j is a side elevationof a gang 0r assembly of' onelform of `straps of the present invention heldin the' assembled relation by the binding members ,the'linvention Fig. 2 isa bottom planvi'evv of the' assembly illustrated in Fig.'v f1," 25 Fig. 3,:is a perspective View of oneof the straps of the type illustrated in` Figs.v 1 and 2. *Fig 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of one of the said straps. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary ielevation view offone of the" 'said staples illustrating 30 thefcon'guration of one of the projecting p0rtions. Fig. dis a bottom elevation,` of another :formY of 'strapoftheinvention and Fig. `7 4is an enlarged end View of oneof the binding members.

The present invention provides an assembly of a multiplicity oi nested box or cratestays or strapsand improved means for holding the gang of straps together inthe nested relation. The several straps of the assembly or gang are identic 'al `andI will iirst describea single strap of one 40 form of theinvention and will then describe the means for holding the multiplicity of straps `together in the nested relation. Itis to be understood that the' following detailed description of one of 'the straps of the invention is applicable 45 tothe otherl straps ofthe gang O1 assembly- The improved staple or Vstrap of the present in# ventionfillustrated.V in detailin Figs. 3, 4, and 5 comprises, an elongate body l0, barbs Il on thel ends of the body l0 and laterally projecting por- 59 tions l2'on` the ,bojdylll In accordance With theinventiontheimproved strapmay be` formed of a single integral rod or lerifgthfof'vvire,A r'Ihe body Il) constitutes the majorpr principal portion' of the strap. The body 55 I0 is of substantial length, the length of the body of course depending upon the size of the strap and the intended use or application of the strap. In accordance with the invention the body IIJ may be straight and plain except for the laterally projecting portions I2 to be hereinafter described.

The barbs II .are integral terminal or end portions of the strap occurring at opposite ends of the body I0. The barbs II project laterally or at acute angles from the body. As illustrated in the drawing the two barbs I I project in the same general direction and are outwardly convergent to better enter or start in the crate or box to which the strap is applied. The outer ends of the barbs I I are suitably sharpened so that the barbs may be readily driven into wood or the like. The barbs II are preferably barbed or serrated at I3 to prevent or resist the working of the barbs and the withdrawal of the barbs from the box or crate. It is to be noted that the two barbs II project laterally from the body I0 and lie in the same plane so that their weight tends to turn the body I0 about its longitudinal axis when the strap lies in a position where the barbs are .not in a vertical plane.

The laterally offset or projecting portions I2 of the strap are important features of the invention. While there may be as many projecting portions I2 as desired or necessary it will be found that two spaced portions I2 will suffice in most instances. In the form of invention being described there are two portions I2 spaced inwardly equal distances from the barbs Il on the ends of the body Il). The two portions I2 are preferably alike or identical to be of substantially the same weight. In accordance with the invention it is preferred to have the portions I2 project from the oppositey sides of the body Ill or in opposite directions, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. However, the portions I2 may project from the same side of the body I0, if desired. The portions I2 are integral parts of the body IU being portions of the body bent or distorted to project laterally from the body.

The formation or shape of the portions I2 may be varied as desired, it being important, however, to shape the portions I2 so that adjacent straps may closely nest together when arranged in a pack or gang. It has been found desirable to make the portions I2 substantially V-shaped to each comprise two outwardly convergent parts I4. The inner and outer sides of the parts I4 are fiat or provided with substantially fiat surfaces I5. The iiat surfaces I5 allow the portions I2 of adjacent straps to closely nest together whereby the bodies III of an assembly of straps may be in close parallel relation. Further, the flat cooperating surfaces I5 of the portions I2 of two engaging straps of a gang or assembly assist in preventing turning of the straps about their individual axes and assist in accurately orienting the straps. It is important to note that the portions I2 projecting laterally from the body Il] and shaped to nest or fit together when the straps are arranged in an assembly, serve to definitely prevent relative longitudinal movement between the several straps of the assembly.

In accordance with the invention the laterally projecting portions I2 project in or occur in planes at substantially right angles to the plane occupied by the barbs II. This relationship between the barbs II and the laterally projecting portions I2 is important as it allows a multiplicity of the straps to be arranged in a group or gang with the barbs II projecting in the same direction when the portions I2 lie in a common plane. The above described relationship between the laterally projecting portions I2 and the barbs II is such that the portions I2 may lie against the surface of a box or article when the strap is to be driven to prevent undesirable turning of the strap. As illustrated in the drawing, it is preferred to have the portions I2 project in opposite directions or from opposite sides of the body III. The oppositely projecting portions I2 counterbalance one another so that the strap remains balanced except for the two barbs I I projecting in the same general direction. Thus the provision of the laterally projecting portions I2 does not interfere with the action of the projecting barbs I I which because of their weight cause the strap to turn by gravity when they leave the guides of the stapling machine. It is to be noted that the above described projecting portions I2 may be easily and inexpensively formed and do not materially complicate the manufacture of the strap.

The pack or bundle of staples provided by the invention includes a multiplicity of the strap or straps nested one against the other and two clips or binding members 20 holding the nested straps together for ready handling, shipping and insertion in the stapling machine.

Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing illustrate the pack or assembly of straps of the character just described held together by the two members4 20. The several straps are nested or assembled with their barbs II projecting in the same direction and with their offset or lateral portions I2 nested one within the other. The above described an'- gular relationship between the barbs II and the portions I2 is such that the barbs II project laterally from the stack or assembly of the strapsv with the straps nested as just described.V Thus when the assembly is arranged in a vertical position the barbs II project substantially horizontally from the pack or gang of straps as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2. As described above the laterally projecting portions I2 of the adjacent straps fit one within the other so that the bodies I0 of the straps may be parallel and in contact one with the other. It is important tonote that the cooperating or nesting portions I2 of the stacked gang of straps prevent relative endwise movement of the straps and thus hold the barbs II in alignment. The cooperating parts or portions I2 also cooperate to prevent turning of the straps about their individual axes. The flat surfaces I5 of the portions I2 of the contiguous straps allow the portions I2 to closely t together so that the bodies Ill of the adjacent straps may be in intimate contact. The portions I2 project from opposite sides of the straps so that the straps may be easily vstacked without the necessity of turning any of them end for end to have them nest together.

The clips or binding members 2n are provided to hold the stack or gang of strapstogethery in a. compact bundle or assembly for shipping, hamdling,.etc., and for instant insertion in the stapling machine. and may be simple sheet metal parts or strips.

In accordance with the invention the members 20 are substantially U-shaped and are proportioned so that they may be arranged over the gang of straps to have their arms 2I at opposite sides of the bundle or assembly.v The side parts or arms 2l of the members 20 may be provided with ridges or corrugations 22 to make them more rigid. The arms 2| of the members 20 are in- The members 20 may be alikev tegrally connected by intermediate portions or connecting portions 23 of the members. When the members 20 are arranged on the assembly or gang of straps their connecting portions 23 may engage an end strap and the outer or free ends of their arms 2I may occur at the other end strap. The members 20 are preferably positioned to cover the nested together portions I2 of the stacked or assembled straps. The connecting portions 23 of the binding members 20 are provided with transverse openings or slots 24. The two members 20 are preferably arranged on the bundle or gang of straps in corresponding positions, for example, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,

the two members 20 may be arranged on the assembly to have their connecting portions 23 engage against the uppermost strap of the gang. The slot 24 in one of the members 20 is adapted to vreceive the laterally projecting portion I2 of the uppermost strap. The opening or slot 24 cooperating with the projecting'portion I2 of the uppermost strap prevents the binding member 20 from shifting or moving horizontallyor transversely' on the assembly. While I have illustrated' perforations in the form of slots for receiving the portions I2 it is apparent that openings'of other characters may be provided in the members 20 to receive the portions I2. For example, recesses or depressions may be provided to receive the ,portions I2 and the invention is not `to be construed as limited tothe specific form of openings 24 illustrated and the term opening employed in the claims is to be taken f as meaning any form of opening suitable for receiving the portions I2.

The invention includes means for removably holding the binding members 20 tightly engaged against the opposite sides of the stack or gang of straps to hold the straps in the proper nested relation. The outer or free end of one arm 2l of each member 20 has two spaced fingers or tabs 2,5. The tabs 25 are-adapted to be bent to engage over'the end portions of the other arms 2I of the members 20. The tabs 25 when properly bent or clinched down hold the two arms 2l of each member 20 intight engagement with the opposite sides of the stack or assembly of straps. Thus the members 20 are eective in holding the t plurality of straps in the properV assembled relation. It is obvious, of course, that thelug's or tabs 25 engaging about the lowermoststrap of the gang hold the connecting portions 23 of the members 20 in tight engagement with the uppermost strap whereby the members 20 hold the plurality of straps `tightly nested together. The tabs 25'of`each member 20 Aare spaced apart so that the tabs 25 of one of the members 20 are spaced at the opposite sides of the projecting portion I2 of the lowermost strap. This relationship is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The lugs or tabs 25 engaging the opposite sides of the projecting portion I2 at the lower end of the gang eiiectively prevents transverse or longitudinal shifting of the binding member 20.

Following the insertion of the assembly or gang of stays or, straps in the sapling or box binding machine the tabs 25 at the lower ends of the members 20 may be bent downwardly so that the members 2B may be readily withdrawn from the straps by merely pulling the members upwardly. In this manner the members 20 may be easily and quickly disengaged from the stack or gang of straps following their insertion in the stapling or binding machine. It is to be noted that the members 20 arranged as .described above are barbs entirely free and-exposed so that theyfma'y be properly engaged by the guiding parts of the stapling or binding machine.

It is believed that the utility and practicabilit of the stays or straps and the assembly described above will be readily understood from `the fore-` ing, guiding, or otherwise manipulating the straps during their manufacture. The straps I2 may be applied by a stapling or binding machine in the usual manner to engage over the sides of a box or crate and have their barbs I.I driven into the same. n manner the offset portions I2 of the straps lie iiatagainst a surface of the box or crate and if desired nails or small driving staples may be driven against them to assist in securing the larger straps to the box or crate. During shipping and handling of boxes and crates portions of the same often work or shift relative to one another and this movement has a tendency to disengage or spring the barbs of the straps outof place. Further, the contents of the crates sometimes shrink and allow the crate parts to become loosened. The laterally projecting portions I2 of the straps allow `the straps to flex or stretch when the crate and box parts work or become loosened in this mannerand there is less tendency for the barbs II to work or spring free. Thestraps having the offset portions I2 are in effect springs which automatically yield to compensatefor shrinkage and expansion of the contents of the box or crate and which readily withstand shock. I

The invention provides a stack, assembly or gang or straps bound together by the two binding members 20 ,so that they may be readily handled and shipped as a unit for immediate insertion in a stapling or binding machine. The bands or members 20 serve to coninevthe stack of straps so that their portions I2 are retained in the proper nested relation. With the portions I2 of the straps held in the' nested relation the strapsare prevented from shifting or working endwise relative` toene another and are prevented from turning about their longitudinal axes. Thus the lat- Il) serve to maintain the barbs II of the straps in the proper position and in alignment. With the barbs I I projecting in the same direction and occurring in common planes the stack or gang of straps may be easily inserted in the guides of the stapling or binding machine. The members 2 0 are spaced inwardly a considerable distance from the barbs I I and do not interfere with or engage the guiding parts of the box binding machine. The portion I2 of the end straps projecting from the upper and lower ends of the strap assembly cooperate with the opening 24 of one member 20 and the tabes 25 of the other member 20 to denitely position the members and prevent undesirable displacement or shifting of the members. The laterally projecting portions I2 thus serve to locate and hold the members 20 in place. Following the insertion of the assembly or gang of straps in the machine the lugs or tabs 25 may be bent free whereupon the members 20 may be easily withdrawn upwardly from the straps.

spaced inwardly from the barbs llfleavingthe When applied in this.

If desired, the laterally projecting.

sul

portions I2 of the bodies i@ may be engaged by suitable parts of the machine for the purpose of orienting, guiding, turning or otherwise manipulating the straps singly or in groups.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of the invention. The stay or strap illustrated in Fig. 6 includes a body ina, barbs lia on the ends of the body Ille and oiset portions i2a on the body. The body lila and the barbs l Ia may be identical with the body and barbs of the above described strap.

The offset portions l2@ are spaced longitudinally ofthe body ma and there may be as many portions l2a as deemed necessary. In the typical structure illustrated, there are two offset portions la substantially equally spaced from the opposite ends of the body lila; The portions I2a are alike and are integral parts of the wire body IDE. In accordance with this form of the invention the offset portions 12a are substantially z-shaped, each including two outwardly convergent parts A and B, the parts A being straight integral extensions of one another as illustrated. ln other words, each oilset portion l2a includes a part A lying at an angle to the long axis of the body Illn and two parts B, each part B con necting an end of the part A with the body. The portions i2 are preferably balanced, that is, they project equally from opposite sides of the body lila so that they do not tendto turn the body Illa about its axis in one direction more thanin the other direction. The two oiset portions la may be identical and lie in a common plane. The plane occupied by the oiset portions l-Za is at right'angles to the plane occupied by the barbs iin. The sides of the offset portions l2@ are flattened in the same manner as theI above described portions l2 so that a multiplicity of the straps may be closely nested together with their portions l2EL closely fitting one within the other.

The operation and the advantages of the strap illustrated in Fig. 8 are substantially the same as those of the above described embodiment of n the invention. The portions I2EL projecting from both sides of the body lllad may render the strap more resilient to better actas a spring. The type of strap illustrated in Fig. 6 has suicient resiliency to successfully withstand shock when on the crate and to automatically compensate for working of the crate parts and shrinkage of the fruit or produce contained in the crate. It is believed that it will be apparent how the zigzag portions l2@ impart this resilience to the strap. Y Straps of the type illustrated in Fig. 6 are adapted to be packed and shipped in a stack or gang similar to the assembly illustrated in Figs. i and 2 are adapted to be handled in the staplingxor binding machine in the same manner as the previously described formof the invention.

HavingV described only typical preferred forms` and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish -to reserve to myselfy any variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope o the following claims. Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A retaining member for straps, each strap;

characterized by an elongated body and a laterally projecting portion between thel ends of the body, the projecting portions of adjacentstraps nesting one within the other, said retaining member engaging about the gang of straps to holdv said portions in the nesting relation, said member having an opening to receive said portion of an end strap of the gang.

2. Binding means for a gang of straps, each strap characterized by an elongate body and' longitudinally spaced laterally projecting portions spaced between the ends of the body,the part of the body between said projecting portions being substantially straight, the projecting portions of adjacent straps nesting one Within the other, the binding means comprising spacedA binding members engaging about the gang, 'each of said members cooperating with a set of the nested projecting portions to hold said portions in the nested relation, and spaced tabs onone end of each of the said members engaging over an end of the gang and cooperating with the said projecting portion of an end strap of the gang 3. Retaining means for a pack of straps, each strap characterized by an elongate body, barbs projecting laterally from the ends of the body and extending in the same general direction, and two spaced laterally projecting portionson thev body in a plane at an angle to the plane occupied by the barbs,'said portions projectingl in opposite directions, said retaining means comprising two spaced binding members wrapped aboutthe pack of straps, each member having an opening, the opening of one member receiving a laterally projecting portion of a strap at one end of the pack, and tabs on the members wrapped about the other end of the pack to hold the members thereon, the tabs of the other member engaging the laterally projecting portion of the strap at said other end of the pack. l

HERBERT HARVEY. 

